Tenants Guide

Simple – Safe – Secure

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Our staff have vast experience in the lettings industry with a number of our staff renting property, so we are able to understand the rental market not only from the landlords point of view but also that of the tenant. We can shortlist potential properties and take the stress out of your search. Having been in Colchester for over 30 years, we are able to advise on schools, transport, and other amenities to help in your very important home search.

We are a specialist Letting Agent, it’s what we do all day every day, so you will get our individual attention. All of our properties comply with the latest legislation and are inspected regularly. We specialize in properties from £500 upwards per calendar month.

Because many of our properties are managed by us on behalf of our landlords it means our tenants can relax in the knowledge that if things go wrong professional help is only a local phone call away.

When you use GB Residential you know that your deposit is safe. We are members of a Deposit Protection Service so all deposits taken from our tenants are protected at no additional cost to the tenant.

Ensure agents are accredited and members of a Property Ombudsman scheme. This will protect you should a dispute arise.

Check that the agent is protecting your deposit. Ask for details as this is a legal requirement.

Make sure staff are helpful, as you will have regular contact with them during your tenancy.

If you have viewed one of our properties and would like to view, please click here to download an application form.

Landlords Guide

Simple – Safe – Secure

No Let No Fee - No Advance charges - GB Residential will not charge you anything until your property is let.

Buy to Let properties have become hugely popular in recent years. Provided you have an adequate deposit to put down or alternatively enough equity in your own home, Buy to Let remains an excellent long term investment. There are some tax advantages in buying to let; you can claim tax relief against items such as interest on your mortgage, letting agency fees, insurance premiums and upkeep on the property.

The key to success with Buy to Let is in choosing the right property, a property that will appeal to the type of people who live in that area.

For example, the main tenant could be made up of busy professional, single people, couples or even families. We can advise on what gaps appear in the rental market, what schools are available to families, transport links, doctor surgeries etc.

When people view your property, they will compare it to others available, so its condition and appearance will affect both the rental value and the speed at which it is let. First impressions count.

Wherever possible decoration should be light, modern and neutral. Re-decorate as necessary. We have a maintenance team who can undertake any work required at short notice.

Carpets should be clean and neutral.

Kitchens and bathrooms should be modern and well presented with white bathroom suites ideally.

Gardens should be tidy and easily maintained.

The right tenant is the essential ingredient for successful letting is in finding the right tenant for your property. Gibb-Buchanan will ensure that we find the right tenant on your behalf.

Not only do we have a constant supply of tenants actively seeking a property we are establishing contacts with local companies who are continually looking for good accommodation for employees. We continually feed our potential tenants with up to date information on new and existing properties.By specializing in professional letting we attract good calibre, low risk tenants.

Landlords come to us because they know that their properties are safe and with a guaranteed rental payment facility available, their payments are also safe. In our hands you can be sure that your property will provide a productive revenue stream. We offer various options to select from:

Full Management Service £275 + a monthly commission of 10% on rental amount received (full landlord service includes rent collection). Let Only Fee £375. Rent collection fee only £45 per calendar month (can be taken in addition to let only fee) GB Residential are not members of the client money protection scheme.

Our Landlord Services include:

Comprehensive in depth referencing of potential tenants

Guaranteed Rent Insurance available

Up to date lettings database

Accompanied viewings

Extensive inventory carried out

Guaranteed Periodic inspections and reports

IN HOUSE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

We are committed to providing a professional service to all our clients and customers. When something goes wrong, we need you to tell us about it. This will help us to improve our standards.

If you have a complaint, please put it in writing, including as much detail as possible. We will then respond in line with the time frames set out below (if you feel we have not sought to address your complaints within eight weeks, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Property Ombudsman to consider without our final viewpoint on the matter).

What will happen next?

We will send you a letter acknowledging receipt of you complaint within three working days of receiving it, enclosing a copy of this procedure.

We will then investigate your complaint. This will normally be dealt with by the office manager who will review your file and speak to the member of staff who dealt with you. A formal written outcome of our investigation will be sent to you within 15 working days of sending the acknowledgement letter.

If, at this stage, you are still not satisfied, you should contact us again and we will arrange for a separate review to take place by a senior member of staff.

We will write to you within 15 working days of receiving your request for a review, confirming our final viewpoint on the matter.

If you remain dissatisfied, you can then contact The Property Ombudsman to request an independent review:

You will need to submit your complaint to The Property Ombudsman within 12 months of receiving our final viewpoint letter, including any evidence to support your case. The Property Ombudsman requires that all complaints are addressed through this in-house complaints procedure, before being submitted for an independent review.